Transcript Unit 8-Loading and Unloading Students

UNIT VIII
LOADING AND UNLOADING
SCHOOL BUS PASSENGERS
Topics to be discussed:
Requirements for stop locations
Proper and improper use of alternating flashing
red lights
Loading passengers
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On highway and street
On school and private property
At a turnaround stop
Unloading passengers
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On a highway or street
On school and private property
At a turnaround stop
Reporting motorists who illegally pass
Maintaining accurate time schedule
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Establishing Stop Locations
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There must be 200 feet of uninterrupted visibility between the front
and rear of the bus and other motorists.
Stops should be located 200 feet following an intersection or 50
feet from the corner before entering an intersection.
Stops must be at least 200 feet apart. It is recommended that there
be no more than four stops per mile.
Students should have room to wait in safety off the roadway.
The safest place for students to wait in safety may be on the side
of the roadway opposite the pickup point.
Establish or change stops only with supervisor’s permission.
VIII-3
Stops Near Intersections
Bus stops should be located at least 50 feet before entering an
intersection and at least 200 feet following an intersection,
maintaining 200 feet of uninterrupted visibility between the front and
rear of the bus and other motorists.
50 feet
200 feet
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Proper Use of Alternating
Flashing Amber Lights
The alternating flashing amber lights are to be:
 used as a warning that a bus is approaching a
student stop,
 operational—two front and two rear,
 visible for 500 feet in sunlight,
 activated only by the operator,
 activated at least 200 feet in advance of the
stop, and
 deactivated once the bus is stopped and the
stop arm is activated with its flashing red lights.
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Improper Use of Alternating
Flashing Red Lights
The alternating flashing red lights are:
 not used at an intersection where traffic is
controlled by an officer or a traffic signal,
 not used for reasons other than loading and
unloading school children,
 not used on school or private property,
 not used in driveways,
 not used while backing,
 not used in making turns or turnarounds,
 not used while stopping at railroad crossings,
 not used for driving in fog or inclement weather,
and
 not used to assist another bus operator who is
loading and unloading passengers.
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Roadway
ROADWAY.--That portion of a highway improved, designed, or
ordinarily used for vehicular travel, exclusive of the berm or
shoulder. In the event a highway includes two or more separate
roadways, the term "roadway" as used herein refers to any such
roadway separately, but not to all such roadways collectively.
Section 316.003(42), F.S.
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Highway or Street
The entire width between the boundary lines of every way or place
of whatever nature when any part thereof is open to the use of the
public for purposes of vehicular traffic;
Section 316.003(53)(a), F.S.
VIII-8
Safe Stopping Procedure
To perform a safe stop, school bus operators must:
 Instruct students in safe loading procedures (see your
supervisor for guidance).
 Activate amber warning lights 200 feet before
stopping.
 Stop a safe distance (at least 12 feet) from any
students outside the bus.
 When stopped, deactivate amber lights and activate
red warning lights, stop arms, and bumper cross arm.
 Look for pedestrians, traffic, and other hazards
before, during, and after coming to a stop and make
sure all traffic has stopped.
 Engage parking brake and place transmission in
neutral position.
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Loading Passengers on the
Highway or Street
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Raise hand toward students outside the bus (open palm)
to indicate "stop."
Make eye contact and count students.
Check mirrors and look for moving traffic and hazards.
When safe, open door and signal students to board.
When safe, signal students who must cross road by
pointing to them (two fingers extended, thumb down) and
then pointing to where you want them to go. Avoid
sweeping motion that may confuse motorists.
In case of danger, use horn or public address (PA)
system to signal students to clear roadway.
When all students are on bus, close door, count
students, and ensure they are seated.
Deactivate warning lights and check all mirrors.
Check traffic and proceed on route when safe.
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Orderly Loading
Have students:
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arrive on time,
wait in “single file” or in an orderly group,
stand back until bus is stopped,
help young passengers get on first,
use hand rails when entering bus, and
move directly to their seats.
Operator should:
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close door and check that students are
seated,
 look for stragglers, and
 beware of dropped items.
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Unloading Passengers on the
Highway or Street
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Instruct students about the following safety procedures:
 Move well away from side of bus after leaving.
 Do not get mail from roadside box until bus has left.
Students who cross the road should be instructed in the following additional safety procedures:
 take at least 12 steps in front of the bus before starting across the roadway (so operator can see
student's feet);
 wait for proper signal from operator before crossing;
 stop at traffic side of bus and look left, right, and left again; cross only if approaching traffic has
stopped;
 walk across roadway; and
 do not stop or return if an item is dropped. The bus operator will take responsibility for retrieving
object if possible (check local policy).
Unloading procedure:
 Check right and left mirrors and look ahead to be sure all traffic has stopped.
 Tell students when it is safe to stand up and proceed toward the door.
 Open door and count children as they exit the bus.
 Make sure students move at least 12 feet away from the side of the bus and remain in your view.
 When safe, signal to any students who must cross the road by pointing to them (two fingers extended,
thumb down) and then pointing to where they should go. Avoid sweeping motion that may confuse
motorists.
 In case of danger, use horn or PA system to signal students to clear roadway.
 Count students again and ensure all are a safe distance from the bus.
 Close door and check all mirrors carefully, especially right-hand mirrors (for students who do not
cross the road) to ensure they are away from the bus.
 Deactivate warning lights. Proceed when safe and all children are accounted for and safely away
from the bus.
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Deactivating Alternating
Flashing Red Lights
Before resuming motion:
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Deactivate flashing red lights
 Permit stopped traffic to proceed
When resuming motion:
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Allow congested traffic to disperse by
keeping bus as near to the right side of
the road as can be done with safety and
remain on the roadway
VIII-13
Special Dangers of
Loading and Unloading
Dropped or Forgotten Objects
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As a bus driver, if you are concerned
with a bus stop location or hazardous
condition along your route, it is your
responsibility to advise your supervisor
of the situation as soon as possible.
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Always focus on students as they
approach/leave the bus and watch
for any who disappear from sight.
Students may drop an object near
the bus during loading or unloading.
Stopping to pick up the object or
returning to pick up the object may
cause the student to disappear from
the driver's sight at a very
dangerous moment.
Students should be told to leave
any dropped object and move to a
point of safety out of the danger
zones and attempt to get the
driver's attention to retrieve the
object.
Loading on School or
Private Property
Precautions:
 Approach loading area cautiously and slowly. Warn others by using
alternating flashing lights.
 If students run toward the bus, stop as soon as possible.
 Stand by the door to assist students if conditions require it.
 Students should approach loading area in an orderly manner and
form a single file line.
 An adult other than the operator should supervise the students
before they board the bus (if possible).
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Loading on School or Private
Property (continued)
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Park in a designated loading area.
Apply brake and shift to neutral position; set parking brake.
Turn off ignition switch and remove key if leaving the bus.
Signal for students to enter the bus.
Instruct students to use handrail and be seated immediately.
Check area around the bus to see that it is safe to move the bus.
Check mirrors and prepare to leave.
Once started, do not stop for stragglers.
Stop before entering the roadway from private property.
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Loading at a Turnaround Stop
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Load students before backing. (Important!)
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Check mirrors and secure responsible visual
assistance if possible before backing—always
remember that there is an area in back of your
bus that you cannot see.
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Back into the driveway or street for
turnaround.
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Unloading on School or
Private Property
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Approach the unloading area carefully.
Drive buses in a counterclockwise direction in front of school or unloading
point.
Park your bus, if possible, at a designated unloading or sidewalk area so
that students do not have to cross between other vehicles or across
driving areas.
Apply brake and shift to neutral or park; set parking brake.
Turn off engine.
Open door and instruct students to use handrail.
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Unloading at a Turnaround Stop
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Check mirrors and secure responsible visual assistance, if
possible, before backing for turnaround. Always perform
turnaround before allowing students to leave the bus.
After turnaround, activate flashing amber lights at least 200 feet in
advance of the stop, check mirrors, bring bus to a stop, and
activate stop arm and red flashing student lights.
If the turnaround stop is on a private driveway or property where
you cannot use the alternating flashing red lights, you may want to
use your hazard warning lights.
Complete backing maneuver.
Unload passengers.
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Department of Education
Recommendation
Leaving Bus:
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If the operator must leave the bus because
of an emergency or to check the exterior
when children are inside, he or she shall set
the parking brake, remove the ignition key,
use the appropriate emergency equipment,
and assure that disciplined behavior will be
maintained.
The operator shall not leave the immediate
vicinity of a bus if there are student
passengers aboard.
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Backing:
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Department of Education
Recommendation
Backing of the school bus shall be avoided (if possible).
When backing maneuvers cannot be avoided, children shall be
retained inside the bus.
If there are children outside the bus, no backing maneuver shall be
made unless a competent adult observer is on hand to direct the
maneuver.
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Procedures for Reporting
Violations by Motorists
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Be sure the operator has violated the law before reporting an
incident.
Record the vehicle license number and other pertinent information.
Identify the operator and vehicle, if possible.
Personally deliver the information to your supervisor (you are the
complaining witness).
File complaint the day an incident occurs or as soon as possible.
Be prepared for a possible court appearance as the complaining
witness.
VIII-22
Illegal Passing
A motorist has passed illegally if:
 Your alternating flashing amber lights were
activated at least 200 feet before stopping to
load or unload.
 Your alternating flashing red lights were
activated at the time the motorist passed.
 Your bus was completely stopped at the time
the motorist passed.
 Vehicle operators meeting a stopped school
bus on a highway divided by an unpaved
median strip of five feet or more or a physical
barrier do not need to stop.
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Reasons for Maintaining Accurate
Time Schedule
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Promoting good public relations.
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Delivering students to school on time.
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Early arrival can cause the students to miss the bus or be exposed
to serious injury while running to catch the bus.
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Late arrival can expose the students to pedestrian traffic accidents
and severe weather problems while waiting at the stop, and can
inconvenience the teacher.
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Summary
Requirements for stop locations
Proper and improper use of alternating flashing red lights
Loading passengers
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On highway and street
On school and private property
At a turnaround stop
Unloading passengers
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On a highway or street
On school and private property
At a turnaround stop
Reporting motorists who illegally pass
Maintaining accurate time schedule
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